Barbara (Skyinskus) Wolff

Barbara J. Wolff, 85, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a life rich in creativity, independence, adventure, and love for family, animals, and the natural world.

Born on March 6, 1941, in Plainfield, New Jersey, Barbara was the daughter of Vincent and Mary (Sitarik) Skyinskus. She grew up in Piscataway alongside her beloved siblings, Robert Skyinskus and Marie (Skyinskus) Sheenan.

Barbara attended Arbor School and later graduated from Dunellen High School. After high school, she began her career as a secretary before working at Harris Steel, Ingersoll Rand, and Acme Supermarket. Her favorite career path was in import/export, a field she particularly enjoyed. Barbara later worked at DeFalco and Company, where she remained until her retirement in 2006.

Barbara embraced life with enthusiasm and a spirit of adventure. She loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed water skiing on Lake Hopatcong, snow skiing throughout the Northeast, out West, and in Canada, and was a proud member of the Dunellen Ski Club. She enjoyed playing softball in the women’s Piscataway league with her sister Marie and participated in several bowling leagues. While married to William Wolff, Barbara shared a love of boating and enjoyed several boats together, including a memorable cruise up the Hudson River. A meticulous observer of the world around her, she also kept a detailed weather journal.

Seventeen years ago, Barbara moved to Little River, South Carolina, where she continued enjoying the life and independence she cherished so deeply.

A gifted artist and craftswoman, Barbara loved drawing, painting, decorating elaborate Easter eggs, and exploring countless creative crafts. Her love for animals, especially cats and wolves, was legendary among those who knew her. Any stray cat fortunate enough to wander to her home quickly discovered what “cat heaven” truly meant. Her sacred animal was the wolf, and her favorite color was blue.

Barbara was deeply patriotic, strongly supportive of veterans, and held a profound reverence for the Earth through her dedication to recycling and environmental care. Independent in spirit, she believed strongly in personal freedom and living life on her own terms. She attended the Catholic Church of the Resurrection in Lyons, South Carolina.

Family meant everything to Barbara. She treasured spending time beside her big brother Bob, helping sand and paint his woodworking projects. She enjoyed late-night conversations about politics and dinners out with her nephew Gary whenever he visited. She loved road trips with her brother-in-law George, exploring Myrtle Beach and the beauty of South Carolina. Outings with her niece Susan to the Alabama Theatre and Carolina Opry always brought her joy, as did flea markets and yard sales with her mother. Barbara always enjoyed visiting Bill and Karen at their North Carolina lake house, especially sharing her room with Shadow the cat, whose companionship she treasured. She also greatly enjoyed phone calls from her great-nephew Jason, listening to updates about his many projects around the house. If there was one thing Barbara would have changed in life, it would be living in a world free of HOA’s.

Barbara was especially grateful for the love and support shown to her by her niece Karen, her nephew Billy, and Shadow the cat, all of whom brought her comfort, companionship, and joy.

She is survived by her nieces Susan Micus, Karen Mitterando, and Karen Skyinskus; her nephews Gary Skyinskus and Bill Mitterando; and her great-nieces and great-nephews Jason, Jim, Josh, Jennifer, and Michael.The family would also like to extend special recognition and appreciation for the cherished friendships Barbara shared with her neighbors Dannette, Ron and his wife Tammy, and Rick and his wife Margie, as well as the Ladybugs Club.

In honor of Barbara’s lifelong love for animals, especially wolves and cats, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Karma Cat Rescue Society via karmacat.org or to to the Lakota Wolf Preserve via lakotawolf.org, organizations that reflect Barbara’s lifelong compassion for animals and deep admiration for wolves and cats.

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